The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation has announced that Detroit Mercy’s Education program is one of 43 providers from 22 states and the District of Columbia to receive accreditation for their educator preparation programs. “These institutions meet high standards so that their students receive an education that prepares them to succeed in a diverse range of classrooms after they graduate,” said CAEP President Dr. Christopher A. Koch. “Seeking CAEP accreditation is a significant commitment.”CAEP is the sole nationally recognized accrediting body for educator preparation. CAEP was created by the consolidation of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council. It is an accreditation system that works to raise the performance of all institutions focused on educator preparation. Currently, more than 800 educator preparation providers participate in the CAEP Accreditation system.Educator preparation Detroit Mercy’s Education program meets national accreditation standards providers seeking accreditation must pass peer review on five standards, which are based on two principles:Solid evidence that the provider’s graduates are competent and caring educators, and solid evidence that the provider’s educator staff have the capacity to create a culture of evidence and use it to maintain and enhance the quality of the professional programs they offer.Over the past decade, Detroit Mercy’s teacher certification program graduates have achieved full employment upon graduation. The South-east Michigan employment market for teachers is currently experiencing teacher shortages that mirror national trends. Starting salaries range from $35,901 to $54,000, according to recent reports. Detroit Mercy’s Department of Education has experienced a 57 percent increase in student enrollment over the past year, with more students finding that they meet the university’s standards (480 SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing and 530 Mathematics). Many of these new professional teachers will have a positive impact on school reform, the community and society in the 21st century.“Our students and instructors should be very proud of the work they are doing. We’ve set a very high bar for our teacher prep program and CAEP accreditation validates the hard work we are doing,” said Alan Grigg, who directs the Detroit Mercy Education program. “Our students and their families are investing in an education program that is designated as nationally accredited for teacher preparation.”The Detroit Mercy Education program joins 42 other providers to receive CAEP accreditation in fall 2017. Overall, 101 preparation providers from 33 states and the District of Columbia have received CAEP accreditation.University of Detroit Mercy is Michigan’s largest and most comprehensive Catholic university, sponsored by the Religious Sisters of Mercy and the Society of Je-sus. Today’s university boasts the heritage of two founding institutions — the University of Detroit, founded in 1877 by the Jesuits, and Mercy College of Detroit, founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1941. The two consolidated as University of Detroit Mercy in 1990. Detroit Mercy offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional academic degrees and programs through seven schools and colleges. For more information, visit www.udmercy.edu.